pampaul

We are traveling with our son/his girlfriend and their twin daughters this coming October on the Symphony of the Seas.  The will turn 3 on disembarkation day.   We have never traveled with toddlers before and wondering for those that have, what are your must haves to bring to keep them busy during "down times" (like dinner, shows, etc)  Do you bring your own snacks/drinks for them?  Toys?  Books?  

I'm not quite sure about the kids club for them?  I haven't really explored what available for their age group (if any).  But as of right now, I don't know if they would even go to a kids club, because they are so very shy.  

But anyhow, if you could give me any do/dont's with traveling with twin toddlers................I'd appreciate it.  Thanks!

I'm in the middle of a knee injury and looks like a motorized scooter will be in my future.  My husband just said that I might want to look up if they're allowed on ships because he heard they might not be.   What's the deal?

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Probably. You can check what ship will be there with you here...

 

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/coco-cay-port-392?tab=schedule&month=2024-10#schedule

 

Weather will definitely be warm enough to swim, btw,

thank for the link.  looks like there will be one other ship the day that we will be there.  they get there an hour before us.  

This will be our 13th cruise but we have never sailed during this time of year.  

What kind of weather can we expect in Nassau, Port Canaveral and Coco Cay?  Is the ocean and pool warm enough to go swimming in October?  

How about the seas?  

I imagine during Oct, Coco Cay wouldn't be all that busy.  Am I wrong?

Can someone point me in the direction of current menus for all the restaurants onboard?  

And I'm not a drinker, but do like a couple frozen fruity drinks while onboard.........your fave?

I posted last week sometime about using a scooter onboard and I was trying to find it so I could add this question as well, but I can seem to find it.

Anyhow, I know the private island has golf carts to bring you to other areas of the beach but I'm wondering if people actually drive their scooters off of the ship to use on the island.

I'm thinking when we're all done with the beach and decide to go back to the ship to get dried off & dressed, that we could come back later on and explore the island some more and then watch the lighthouse show.  So just wondering if I'd be able to drive the scooter off of the ship and around the island?  Thanks!

ok thank you!

I thought I read here a little bit ago that you can view menus on the app.  I just downloaded the app and I see where they list the restaurants but find no menus.  😞  We're on the Meraviglia this coming August and thought I just might take a peek (yes I realize menus change but at least I'd get an idea).  And are there any other places aside from the buffet open on embarkation day?  Thanks so much!

27 minutes ago, smokeykat said:

There were many scooters on the ship. It would be hard to use them in the Buffet. Most of the scooters were left by the front area of the buffet but getting around the decks is fine. 

OK great, that's what I was looking for.  A place to park it while walking around the buffet or to our table in the restaurants.

I have knee issues so walking all day causes much pain.  As does standing for any length of time.  I'm thinking of asking a friend to borrow her scooter in August when we cruise.  This will be our 12th cruise but would be the first one possibly using a scooter.  

As of right now we have a balcony room.  I'm assuming there will be enough room to park/charge the scooter?  

I am able to walk, so the plan would to be using the scooter to get to the restaurant or the buffet or the pool, etc.   Am I able to leave the scooter outside of the buffet or restaurant and walk in?  Not sure how it would be navigating around a crowd of people or many tables.  

If you've used a scooter on the Meraviglia, please let me know your experiences (good/bad)   Thanks!

I've usually carried a regular "beach bag" type bag when we get off the ship (to carry extra clothes is going to a beach, sunscreen, a towel, etc)  But I think this time around I'd like to get a back pack sort of bag.  

Any suggestions?

thank you !

Just curious, as it helps with the arthritis in my knee.  Thanks.

Fingers crossed!

On 8/5/2019 at 1:29 AM, donaldsc said:

 

Thanks for all of your suggestions.  I do bring my tablet with me, so I just might use one of the white noise apps and use with headphones. 

Yeah, I have a couple different apps but I was looking for an actual fan (loud) or device.  Thanks!

I'm the type of person who needs a fan to fall asleep.  I have tried bringing a small fan onboard a couple times and both times they were taken away and I was not allowed to bring them (not sure which cruise line it was).  We're looking at booking a cruise next year with either Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.  

Just curious what everyone else brings to use to help fall asleep (noise wise).  Whether it's a small fan or maybe something else that I haven't even heard of.  

We were on deck 6 aft balcony and only felt vibration during docking.

Yes, we arrived home at 11ish this morning! A record, normally home by 1-2pm from NY

Our cabin was 6478, rear facing Havana balcony. It was BIG.

The ship only vibrated during maneuvering into dock. The rocking was no more or less than any other ship we have been on. Some quick math, $50pp x 5000 passengers=$250,000. WOW

You won't be disappointed, it's an amazing ship.

We just arrived home from this cruise. We had a rear facing balcony and noticed only one "wake" from the rear of the boat after the missed port. After the delay leaving from Grand Turk I noticed are top speed was 22.6 knots which seemed fast to me but maybe it's normal. After the announcement, our top speed seemed to be 17 knots with one wake. The next day the captain made an announcement that his crew made progress and we would arrive on time in NY, then our speed increased to 19-20 knots with a small wake on the left side.

The delay from Grand Turk was due to a crew member death the evening before:(:(, RIP.

Overall it was a very nice cruise minus the news of the crew member. This was the best crew out of the 11 cruises we have been on.

Carnival applied a $50pp credit for the missed port which seemed fair. They also added more shows to the schedule.

My only complaint is it went by too fast!

P.S. if your thinking about a Havana room, do it! The crowd in the Havana area was small the whole time.

Thank You !!!

We're leaving Wednesday on the Horizon and I'm just wondering if we can each bring a resuable travel mug to fill with ice water each day? We're big water drinkers and have brought water bottles before (throw away kind) but don't want to bring a case of water this time. I thought having the resuable one that we could refill throughout the day would work out better for us. Plus would be great to bring on the islands.

Thanks!!!

I've heard on some ports they will have these "carts" that will drive you from the ship to the port. We leave Wed on the Horizon and will be visiting San Juan, Amber Cove and Grand Turk. Can you tell me whether either of these have this transportation? Thanks